Which Puget Sound area neighborhood? (Seattle, Tacoma: rentals, houses, job transfer)

[westcoastcountryboy]

I am currently renting in the Puget Sound area and looking for a place to buy. I don't like commuting too much so the neighborhood I buy in to would also be or nearby to the neighborhood I would be working in. (I could transfer my job to much of the Puget Sound region)

I am single, in my 40's and have no family therefore, "good" schools are not important to me. Safety is also not of the highest importance. As a matter of fact I like "a little rough around the edges". No, I do not want to be living in some gang-infested neighborhood where I'm worried about hearing gunshots everynight. Yes, I do want to feel safe with walking my dog around midnight if that's when I get home but I know how to lock my doors and secure my truck to discourage burglaries.

I have a bit of a "blue-collar" mentality. I prefer bars over coffee houses, I prefer trucks over BMW's etc.

Since I don't know if buying a place or getting my job transferred would come first, I need to make sure there are some rentals in the area that would be pet (dog) friendly.

I already have a few ideas....just looking to see if anyone might come up with one that I haven't thought about.

Thanks

[Inkpoe]

Puget Sound Region covers a huge area. Helps if you narrow it down a bit-- but renting is a must because you have to see if you like the area or not. (Puget Sounds covers basically from Friday Harbor/Anacortes to down to Olympia then back up to Port Townsend.)

As for your talking about "blue-collar" mentality... are you saying you prefer to have bars in your area? You're going to at least have coffee stores everywhere because it's huge here. We don't really have a pub scene (though we do have some pubs).

[westcoastcountryboy]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Puget Sound Region covers a huge area. Helps if you narrow it down a bit-- but renting is a must because you have to see if you like the area or not. (Puget Sounds covers basically from Friday Harbor/Anacortes to down to Olympia then back up to Port Townsend.)

As for your talking about "blue-collar" mentality... are you saying you prefer to have bars in your area? You're going to at least have coffee stores everywhere because it's huge here. We don't really have a pub scene (though we do have some pubs).

Good point.

I'm mostly looking from the Everett to Tacoma area. I would also consider Bremerton

And yes, I know coffee stores are everywhere. I'll go occassionally myself but when given the two I feel more comfortable at a nice neighborhood bar

[Inkpoe]

Well, Everett and Tacoma are going to have a more blue collar feel. Bremerton as well. I think out of all places, Bremerton would have the best value for money.

Maybe even Mukilteo/Edmonds would work as well. Though it will have a markedly less blue collar feel. Kingston has a ferry to Edmonds and its rural and very blue collar.

[Ira500]

How about Renton? It's within pretty easy commuting distance to both Seattle and Bellevue, it's clearly more blue collar than a lot of places around here. Certainly more expensive than Bremerton, but far less expensive than Bellevue, Kirkland, much of Seattle, etc.

[HuskyDawg]

I like this post it cuts to the point with no fluff. I vote Georgetown which has Smarty Pants, and Nine lb hammer for good dive bars. Or somewhere over in Columbia City/Beacon Hill.

[westcoastcountryboy]

Originally Posted by Ira500

How about Renton? It's within pretty easy commuting distance to both Seattle and Bellevue, it's clearly more blue collar than a lot of places around here. Certainly more expensive than Bremerton, but far less expensive than Bellevue, Kirkland, much of Seattle, etc.

Renton is one of the places I would have considered a long time ago. With the growth and development out there now is it becoming more "yuppyish"? That is one thing I am not. I have heard that they are wanting to develop to become another Bellevue. If true, Renton is out of the question. If not true, I would still consider it.

[Ira500]

Renton's powers that be might want it to become another Bellevue, but it's not going to happen. There's plenty of " almost hillbilly" housing and neighborhoods.

[Inkpoe]

When I was growing up, people I knew refer Renton (and Kent) as the Bellevue's poor brothers (cities). [Poor as in "not rich/successful".]

I think Renton has some potential... perhaps you could look on the outer edges, like closer to Maple Valley.

[westcoastcountryboy]

Originally Posted by HuskyDawg

I like this post it cuts to the point with no fluff. I vote Georgetown which has Smarty Pants, and Nine lb hammer for good dive bars. Or somewhere over in Columbia City/Beacon Hill.

Thanks HuskyDawg. That's one of the reasons I made this post. It seems like everytime somebody is asking about where to move to they always state that "safety is of the upmost importance".

I understand that, especially if they are moving with kids but then those are the places you know about...not the places that are "a little rough around the edges" without being too dangerous.